Gel handlebar pads; do they work?

[rparedes]

Anybody has any experience with the various gel pad/dampening wrap systems for handlebars? (aztec, nashbar, etc)
Curious to know if they really do work...

 

[kdelong]

I have Specialized pads on my daily ride and they are OK. I really don't notice much difference between the cork wrapped handlebars with gel pads and cork wrapped without pads, but my gloves are padded. I really notice a difference though when I switch over to one of my vintage bikes with Benotto plastic handlebar tape.

 

[sogood]

They do make a difference, especially if your gloves aren't padded. The question is whether you need them.

 

[Bigbananabike]

Vibwrap - I have that on my bikes and notice the difference - even with gel gloves . I tried some Fizik gels and thought they were too thin
The Vibwrap is comfortable but not too bulky either. It helps to take the edge off the coarse grit roads we have a lot of here in NZ.

 

[lohsnest]

No experience with the gel pads, but to all you weight weenies out there, doesn't the thought of adding a few more grams onto your bike bother you?

Anybody has any experience with the various gel pad/dampening wrap systems for handlebars? (aztec, nashbar, etc)
Curious to know if they really do work...

 

[Bigbananabike]

A few more grams compared with a higher level of comfort....give me comfort anyday

No experience with the gel pads, but to all you weight weenies out there, doesn't the thought of adding a few more grams onto your bike bother you?

 

[rparedes]

Vibwrap - I have that on my bikes and notice the difference - even with gel gloves . I tried some Fizik gels and thought they were too thin
The Vibwrap is comfortable but not too bulky either. It helps to take the edge off the coarse grit roads we have a lot of here in NZ.

thanks!, I'll check it out...

 

[Bigbananabike]

Go for it.
See Joe at Bicycle Supply - net seller for it. Good guy to deal with too

QUOTE=rparedes]thanks!, I'll check it out...[/QUOTE]

 

[John M]

Anybody has any experience with the various gel pad/dampening wrap systems for handlebars? (aztec, nashbar, etc)
Curious to know if they really do work...

I recently acquired a used bike that had the Specialized gel pads on them. They do provide some additional padding, but increase the diameter of the bar. I have smallish hands so I removed the gel pads from the drops and left the gel pads on the tops of the bars, which provides a little padding when assuming a pseudo-aero position going into the wind with the forearms on the tops.

 

[Powerful Pete]

Never really felt the need to try them. I have found that I now prefer to ride even without gloves (although usually I ride about 50km in the summer - so no long distances).

 

[Bigbananabike]

Just don't crash without gloves!

Never really felt the need to try them. I have found that I now prefer to ride even without gloves (although usually I ride about 50km in the summer - so no long distances).

 

[Powerful Pete]

Just don't crash without gloves!

I usually try no to crash at all...

 

[TheDarkLord]

I usually try no to crash at all...

I doubt there are many people here who purposely try to crash.